Case Histories

U.S. Study Finds Millions at Risk of High Lead from Corrosive Water

A new U.S. Geological Survey assessment of more than 20,000 wells nationwide showed that untreated groundwater in 25 states and the District of Columbia was classified as potentially corrosive, thus creating a high risk for lead leaching in homes.

Portable X-ray Diffraction Units Boost Efficiency of Corrosion Analysis

New x-ray diffraction technologies are enabling corrosion analysis to be carried out much more quickly and thoroughly by using a portable unit in the field.

New Safe Containment Project Cuts Corrosion Risk at Chernobyl

The new containment structure, moved into position in November 2016, includes a ventilation system that developers say will help ensure there is no need to replace the coating used to control corrosion.

Long-Term Field Performance of an Organic Corrosion Inhibitor for Reinforced Concrete

Reinforced concrete samples with an organic corrosion-inhibiting admixture were exposed in a road salt environment in the Swiss Alps and periodically inspected over 18 years using a number of test methods.

U.S. House Panel Concludes State, Federal Failures behind Flint

The U.S. congressional committee investigating the water crisis in Flint, Michigan issued final letters citing failures at all levels of government, including problems at both the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Study: Lack of Corrosion Controls Caused Flint Water Crisis

Led by university researchers, the findings of this new study support the understanding that lead leached into the pipes system in Flint, Michigan, because the water wasn’t treated to prevent corrosion.

Testing for Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion in Humid Air

Researchers with the Southwest Research Institute conducted experiments to evaluate the presence of microbiologically influenced corrosion under high and low relative humidity conditions when storing spent nuclear fuel in dry storage systems.

Characterizing Severe Bridge Pile Corrosion in a Marine Environment

Divers conducting inspections of the Mickler-O’Connell Bridge detected heavy corrosion of the steel H-piles. Researchers suspect microbiologically influenced corrosion caused localized degradation.

Investigators Find Severe Corrosion in 2015 California Gas Leak

Independent investigators found extensive corrosion on the well casing that broke open at Southern California Gas Co.'s Aliso Canyon gas storage facility in October 2015. In the aftermath, engineering consultancy Blade Energy Partners was granted authority by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to conduct a root cause analysis of the metallurgical and fractographic aspects of the gas leak.

Test Samples of Reinforced Concrete Are Often Too Small

A recent study from European university scientists suggests that samples of reinforced concrete need to be larger to ensure accuracy in corrosion detection.

New Ultrasonic Rolling Scanner for NDT of Concrete Structures

Funded by the European Commission, this new project involves the design of a portable, three-dimensional ultrasonic scanner for the nondestructive testing and evaluation of concrete in bridges and other building structures.

Novel Phosphonate Proves Useful in Geothermal Environments

The researchers conclude that the novel phosphonate chemistry is useful in ultrahigh geothermal applications. Its high tolerance to calcium, biodegradability, thermal stability, and good performance against calcium carbonate scaling prove valuable in many environments.

Chemical Safety Board: Thermal Fatigue Led to Gas Plant Blast

In their final report, U.S. investigators say thermal fatigue in a heat exchanger likely caused a major hydrocarbons release in June 2016. This resulted in a series of fires and explosions at the Enterprise Products gas plant in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

U.S. Researchers Probe Localized Corrosion on Steel Pipes

According to U.S. researchers, a localized form of nanoscale corrosion appears responsible for unpredictably decreasing the working life of steel pipes used frequently in the oil and gas industry.

Investigators: Corroded Pipe Led to U.S. Refinery Explosion, Fire

Investigators with the U.S. Chemical Safety Board say a June 2019 explosion and fire at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, occurred due to a corroded pipe elbow in the refinery’s alkylation unit.